Written by Rev. Bill Banuchi www.marriageandfamily.org
A simple help to make your day and your marriage just a little better this July 4th weekend!
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver” –
2 Corinthians. 9:7
Even though Paul was talking specifically about money in his letter to the believers in Corinth, he reveals a deeper principle that should be foundational to every area of our lives. We can call it, “the spirit of giving.”
What greater gift can we give than the gift of love? And love – to be love- must be freely given, without condition or expectation of anything in return.
We must want to sacrifice for the needs of the other person, because we want to see that person blessed, not because we want something for ourselves.
If our motive is to receive something in return, it’s no longer love; it’s mutual use. Attempting to love from a sense of duty or obligation leads to nothing but resentment and frustration.
The only cure is a heart transplant. We must ask God to remove our heart of self-centeredness and replace it with His heart of selflessness. This is the spirit of giving. Only then will we be able to “freely” love, because it will be God’s love freely given to us that we will be able to pass on to our spouse. That is the liberty of love.
Prayer: Lord, help us to love freely, not out of compulsion or obligation but without condition or expectation. Help us to love as you have loved us.